15 Basketball Drills for Kids at Home (No Gym Needed)

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Quick answer: The best home drills for kids build three skills: ball handling, shooting form and footwork. Start with pound dribbles and cone weaves, add close-range form shooting, then finish with a fun game like Around the World. Fifteen to thirty minutes a few times a week is plenty.

You do not need a gym, a coach or fancy equipment. A ball, a hoop at the right height, and a few cones or water bottles are enough. Use a ball that fits your child’s hands; our basketball size chart shows which one.

Ball-Handling Drills

1. Pound Dribbles

Dribble the ball hard at knee height with one hand for 30 seconds, then switch hands. Keep eyes up. This builds strength and control.

2. Ball Wraps

Pass the ball around the head, waist and each leg in a circle without dropping it. Ten times each direction.

3. Cone Weave

Set 5 cones about 4 feet apart. Dribble in and out using the outside hand around each cone. Walk first, then jog.

4. Stationary Crossovers

Bounce the ball low from one hand to the other in front of the body. Count to 25 without a mistake.

5. Two-Ball Dribble

Dribble two balls at the same time, first together, then alternating. It is hard and fun, and it quickly improves the weak hand.

Shooting Drills

6. One-Hand Form Shooting

Stand 3 feet from the rim. Shoot with only the shooting hand, elbow under the ball, and hold the follow-through. Make 10, then take one step back.

7. Mikan Drill

Make a layup on the right side with the right hand, catch it, and make a layup on the left with the left hand. Keep going for 30 seconds.

8. Around the World

Mark 5 spots in an arc around the hoop. Make a shot from each spot to move to the next. Great for practicing different angles.

9. Free-Throw Routine

Pick a simple routine (for example, two dribbles and a deep breath) and use it every time. Shoot 10 free throws and write down the score.

10. Bank Shot Challenge

From each side of the hoop, aim for the top corner of the backboard square. Make 5 on each side.

Footwork and Athletic Drills

11. Jump Stops

Dribble forward, pick up the ball, and land on both feet at the same time with knees bent. Balance is the goal.

12. Pivot Practice

After a jump stop, keep one foot planted and turn forward and backward. Switch pivot feet.

13. Defensive Slides

Get low and slide sideways between two cones without crossing your feet. Three trips each way.

Fun Games

14. H-O-R-S-E

The classic. Match your opponent’s shot or earn a letter. It sneaks in a lot of creative shooting practice.

15. Beat the Pro

Shoot from a spot. Make it and you get 1 point; miss it and the “pro” gets 2 points. First to 11 wins. It teaches kids to focus on every shot.

Tips for Parents

• Keep sessions short. 15–30 minutes with full focus beats an hour of tired shooting.
• Praise effort, not makes. Good form matters more than results at this age.
• Track progress. Write down free-throw scores so kids can see themselves improve.
• Use the weak hand. Spend at least a third of dribbling time on it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should kids practice basketball at home?

Three or four short sessions a week is a great target for most kids, plus their team practices.

Can kids practice without a hoop?

Yes. Ball-handling drills, footwork and form shooting at a wall or into the air all work without a hoop.

The Bottom Line

Pick three or four drills from this list, keep the session short and fun, and finish with a game. Small, steady practice at home is how kids build skills that show up on game day.